No worries, i can highly recommend a place if you don't have a source for your woodwear already - they're up near Bendigo but it's top quality! alternatively i can supply you pre-assembled dipped and painted...

I was thinking of going through Redpaths but I am open to suggestions. PM me if you would prefer to keep it off list. I would prefer to assemble & paint my own woodware at the moment. Part of the fun as I see it :)Paul

I was inspecting a hive last Thursday in Melbournes North Western Suburbs... plenty of drone brood - some drones already hatched... i suspect swarms will probably be starting sometime in the next few weeks if it stays warm

Checked my hive today. Going gangbusters, lots of big hairy drones, but no queen cells. Overflowing with bees despite having two deeps and two ideals.

My bait hive box (single deep with lure) had half a dozen visitors today checking it out. They were not mine as I have Italians and these girls were black/grey. I Guess someone nearby has a colony getting ready to swarm in melbourne eastern suburbs.

Swarms will be very soon - check your hives now.

Logged

"The time has come," the walrus said, "to talk of many things: Of shoes and ships - and sealing wax - of cabbages and kings”Lewis Carroll

One of my 2 hives seemed to swarm yesterday, I got a call from my wife about midday to say there were bees everywhere and a big cluster 30ft up a tree. One hour later when I got home there was a beard over the front of one hive, everyone was fanning madly and the girls were busy marching in, so buggered if I know what's going on. Anyone had their bees re-hive themselves?

Well, both hives swarmed this week, I didn't have enough hardware to split the first one so they swarmed while I watched. I split the second one but to no avail, it delayed them a couple of days and then they swarmed.

That would be a great help! I'm in Melbournes Northern Suburbs and I haven't even seen a drone cell yet!

I'm in the North as well, Epping to be precise. I'll be in the market for my first bees in the next 4 to 5 weeks (or whenever) if you come across a swarm that you want to sell let me know. I can pay with cash, home brew (or store bought) or electrical work (I'm an electrician by trade) :-DPaul.

ROAD TRIP TO KANDOS AND BACK MAYBE - BEES FOR ELECTRICAL WORK ON DUMP ( CASTLE ) BEING RENO-D ;)